Join the WTU Membership Meeting on December 9th, 4:30 on Zoom (Registration Link)
The WTU requires you to make decisions key to moving us forward. Our Budget and important changes to our governing documents need to be approved. Get key updates on what has been accomplished so far this year, where we are headed, and be a part of the change. Review the Proposed Bylaws Amendments, look over the Draft Initial Agenda , and familiarize yourself with the Budget and other Meeting Materials. Your preparation ensures that you can fully participate in discussions and votes on key issues that shape our union’s future.
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Keep the WTU Parental Leave Bank Alive
The WTU is one of the few unions that offers a Parental Leave Bank to provide much needed time to our colleagues as they expand their families. We have not been able to offer the full negotiated 240 hours due to insufficient leave bank donations. Even with the limited amounts given, the bank is no longer solvent for the remainder of the school year affecting ~20 additional members seeking to use it before the school year runs out. If 200 members give 1 day each to the Parental Leave Bank through PeopleSoft we can fully fund the remaining people. If more give, we can provide additional days to those already using the limited % of leave we were originally able to provide.
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Protect our Planning Time
At the WTU Membership Meeting we will be expanding our Protect our Planning Time Campaign. Help the WTU Organizing Committee by taking their survey so we can better understand what is happening with Planning Time across the District.
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WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 12/8/25, 4:30PM
Join us for a collaborative meeting where all Specialized Services professionals, Social Workers, Counselors, Librarians, School Psychologists, SLPs, OTs, and more, can connect and share insights.
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New Educators Check In
If you are new to your profession and/or new to DCPS the WTU wants to hear from you! The WTU will be hosting a hybrid event on Wednesday, January 14th starting at 4:30 at the WTU Office (1239 Pennsylvania Ave SE) to learn more about how things are going for new Educators and how we can better support you (put on by the WTU Professional Development Committee).
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Submit Your Agenda Items For The Next Membership Meeting
This is your final opportunity to help shape the conversation and decisions that impact our union. If there’s an issue, idea, or concern you want addressed, submit it in advance so it can be included on the agenda. Items should be sent by Monday, December 8 to President Fuchs. Your input ensures that the meeting reflects the priorities of our members. Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard!
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Support International Educators
DCPS is still refusing to spend the money appropriated by the DC Council to restart the Green Card Policy for our over 300 International Educators working in DCPS on H1B Visas. We have a fourth e-mail writing campaign target to pressure DCPS to do the right thing. Take 2-3 minutes and send a pre-written (or you can edit) email today!
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Provide Feedback on the Proposed High School Graduation Requirement Changes with the DC State Board of Education Listening Sessions: https://bit.ly/485mkjZ
The WTU endorsed the following report created by the VP of High School Committee last school year recommending:
- Adding Endorsement Options: WTU supports adding endorsements but wants to be a part of the process and limit the capstone requirements to endorsements only.
- Course Requirements: Want greater clarity around Math and ensuring student future success. Keep Social Studies as it is now and Science back up to 4 credits, increasing lab sciences.
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Test Out and Course Substitution Course substitutions should not be allowed for our graduation requirements.
- Special Education Diploma: OSSE should make this a priority and engage WTU and families as they explore further options.
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Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Strategic Planning Community Survey
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is developing a new five-year strategic plan (2026–2030) to guide our work on behalf of DC’s students, families and educators.
They want to hear directly from you. Your perspectives will help shape OSSE’s priorities, how we partner with schools and families and how we measure our success serving students from birth to adulthood over the next five years.
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- WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 12/8/25, 4:30PM
- DC Council Oversight: School Improvement Act & Community School (Register to Testify) - 12/9/25, 2PM
- WTU Membership Meeting (Zoom) - 12/9/25, 4:30PM
- WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) - 12/10/25, 5PM
- Community Event: Decoding Dyslexia Monthly Speaker Series (Zoom) - 12/10/25, 7PM
- Community Event: Ward 4 Education Alliance (Zoom) - 12/11/25, 6PM
- WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 12/15/25, 4:30PM
- WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 12/16/25, 4:30 PM
- WTU Retirement Options Task Force (Zoom) - 12/16/25, 5PM
- DC State Board of Education Public Meeting (Sign up to Speak) - 12/17/25, 5:30PM
- WTU Office Closed December 24-January 1st - Emergency Contact will be provided
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We have won our Arbitration over protecting our 4 independently Teacher Directed Morning Blocks per week. Now it is time to demand our protected planning time.
Our first step: Make sure everyone in your building knows their rights.
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The following are open forms you can use to inform the WTU of your opinion:
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Thank you for your continued dedication to our students, our schools, and our union. Let’s stay informed and united because together, we’re stronger.
In solidarity,
Washington Teachers’ Union
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